B5 or B6?

[YNOT1595]

Hi guys, I've been looking around this forum for a while now. I am wanting to get my first car pretty soon and I am torn between either a B5 A4 or B6 A4. I would get it with quattro and a manual transmission. I just want to know the pros and cons of each and which one would be easier and less expensive to mod in the long run. Are there any features in one that the other doesn't have? Why do you like one over the other? I would appreciate some help with this and am glad to be part of this forum now.

[TipTucker01]

You should pick up a B6.

[DonnieDark0]

depends on your style. Totally different body styles. I love the b6 and I love the b5. B6 will most likely last longer style wise cause its more updated. But B5 just looks and feels more nimble and aggressive. Look up tons of pics of both and see which one suits your fancy. Just dont get auto. =)

[nikothegman2003]

i say B6, and if youre not planning to do too many engine mods get a 3.0 MT-Q, otherwise cop the 1.8

[walky_talky20]

From a reliability and build quality standpoint, I'm going with the B5 on this one. I've seen too many things on the B6 that have been a step down in quality from the B5 chassis. Including:

Fuel Pump
Interior quality (buttons rubbing off, etc)
Paint peeling on front fenders and other areas
Thermostat and multiple coolant sensors
Cooling fan control module
Vacuum/PCV system got completely out of control
Etc

The B6 chassis seemed to add complexity and issues, while not addressing some of the faults of the B5. But you do get a newer car with more features and newer styling. Although, I prefer the looks of the B5, myself. Just my opinion here. There are plenty of B5 issues to go around as well.

[Seerlah]

They are basically the same vehilce, just slight differences:

-pre 01 A4 has a narrowband primary 02 sensor, while AWM and B6 has a wideband (comes in handy for tuning issues)
-97-00 1.8t has slightly stronger bottom end, due to larger wrist pins
-B5 has return fuel system while the B6 does not
-B6 has slightly smaller fuel feed line than the B5
-to state the obvious, body styles are different
-B6 is heavier
-B6 can have 6 speed
-other minor differences

Other than that, it would depend upon what style of body and interior you want. It will basically boil down to that. Finding a B5 in good condition is rather hard to come by. Same thing may exist in the B6 side of things, but the same issues are relevant. being that I have been in a B5 for a couple years now, I would pick up a B6 if I had the right opportunity. But I adore the B5 body style, and was probably the main reason I picked this car over many others. The 1.8t was what I was loking for when the gas prices were incredibly high (like they are getting curently), and was a perfect fit with great tuner ability. All in all, you should be happy with either one. Just know what you are getting yourself into. You can't treat an Audi like you can a Japanese automobile. She will sh*t on you the second start to neglect her (ie beat on the turbo while hitting a hard corner not knowing the condition of your control arms or turbo, not change your fluids, not change your tb on time, etc). I can beat on my car all day long (not that I do). But I treat her well.

[gmx]

I like how the B6 has a stiffer and much more rigid chassis than the B5.
That was the whole big deal about the B6 when it was launched in the day too.

And the interior is much better.

Other than that, I reckon it's pretty overweight for a standard car and looks it too. Whatever floats your boat.

[BUK_DAA]

I agree with the post above.You can also always go check both of them out and test drive them to see how you like it, right?

[dirtyb5a4]

Id recommend a 99.5. Strong bottom end, with facelift looks and interior. Unless you want the curvy(imo fat looking) b6

[FNK]

Every generations, the body get stiffer since the S1 rally car.
Most of the mechanic is the same... (not completely sure)
And from my 2001 interior to a friend 2002, the differences are minimal. The only thing I like better in his B6 is the rear view mirror that indicate S-W-E-North. I do a lot of road trips so it's sort of practical... but then again I dont use it.

B5 Sedan > B6 Sedan


B5 Avant < B6 Avant

[black99.5a4]

b6 is the best of both worlds imo.

only EARLY b6's have the peeling issues, unless someone didnt take care of the car.. but it seems to be hit or miss on ANY of the cars. I have a 98 a4 in my shop that has creame/blue interior and the door pulls are white b/c everythin is peeled off.. I am currently working on 2 b6's, both 04's, neither have ANY peeling issues at all and one has more miles then the 98 car.

AEB's do have the bigger wrist pins, but it seems, that the 01+ tuning abilities will over shine the AEB all day. B6 guys are making 320-330 AWHP on their 19mm wrist pinned bottom ends all day for 100k miles or more with GT28RS's and other turbos that people have bent rods in AEB's at 315-320 AWHP.. I def believe the AEB's have the stronger bottom ends but lack the tuning abilities to take use of it..

B6's have bigger fuel tanks which you gotta love 500 miles to a tank on the highway.. My 01.5 at 75 cruise will do 440-450. The 5 speeds REALLY need another gear at 75mph.. If you can afford a 04-05 b6, get the 6 speed. I just did a trip to SC and back and at 75 I could get 440-450.. at 80 it dropped to tad under 400 and at 85 cruise set in all of this.. it was 340-350 to a tank.. (stock sized tires)

It really depends upon your budget as to which car you plan to get. b6's have a much better fit and finish, better quality leather. I havent seen a torn a4 seat yet in a b6. Better stock stereo.. the b6 non bose setups sound better then my replaced and symphony hacked bose in my 99.5 car..

Its preference.

Will look better together (door blade is getting painted) or if i could stand back further and get a good shot of it with my DSLR, but i have 4 cars beside it and not enough room to stand back.

[truls000]

Ive har both the B5 and now have a B6, both are good car. You will be happy with either of your choises :)

[DonnieDark0]

that avant picture makes me want to get 1 lol.

[miggity02]

I have both. B5 has more potential to be nimble and is a bit lighter than the B6. I do think the B6, proportionally, is sweet: B5 some say are too small, B7s are oversized or too tall for the chassis, B8s are too big in general etc...That being said, everyone above all have valid points for each model. I wish my B5 had a 6th gear, I really like the stock Bose in the B6, shifter is smoother in B6, more exterior mods for B6, B5 even with avant can be more nimble. It's up to you!
My .02

[YNOT1595]

Thanks guys. I agree with FNK about the avant and sedan preferences. I really don't care if its a sedan or avant. I'm just looking for a fun daily driver with potential in the future.

[twofaze]

deep down, everyone wishes they had a 99.5 B5....

[Lazer Viking]

deep down, everyone wishes they had a 99.5 B5....

not really, i have a 99.5 and an 01.. the 01 drives better and more effortlessly then my 99.5 ever did

[somebody5788]

not really, i have a 99.5 and an 01.. the 01 drives better and more effortlessly then my 99.5 ever did

a 99.5 and 01 B5 of the same engine trans and all will drive the same since they have the same basic parts (now the 1.8t's do have more power in the 01 so that's slightly arguable) but the chassis is the same.

[ballinb5]

Get a b6 avant, or b5 sedan. end of discussion

[black99.5a4]

a 99.5 and 01 B5 of the same engine trans and all will drive the same since they have the same basic parts (now the 1.8t's do have more power in the 01 so that's slightly arguable) but the chassis is the same.

you have no clue 2.8 boy... the DBW cars drive much more effortlessly then the DBC cars do. My 01 car drive away from a red light or a stop sign like its not even a boosted car.. I can actually use the gas pedal.. the DBC cars, cant.. they just dont have the smoothness at all.. you try to drive away normal and its into boost.. I drive normal and enjoy the car for what it is.. i dont need to live in boost, i'm not a 16 yr old HS kid.. I am sitting at 125 miles and just slightly slightly under the 3/4 tank mark.. my AEB use to use more oomph, more effort I should say, to go up hills and to move itself from a stop light. and would get about 300 to atank in town.

here is another thing.. i can shift my 01 at 2200 and drive it anywhere with no loss of power with it still gaining speed/momentum and not like a grandma whos in the way... my 99.5 if you would shift below 3k, even shipped (my 01 is stock), it would feel like it needed to goto 3500 or so to keep the same pace of speed moving.

[flynnr]

LOL.

DBC>>>>>>>>>>>>DBW

And all you guys are hatin on the b5 avants?! Damn haha. I love mine.